Construction of 12 River Bridges Completed for Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Corridor in Gujarat
In a significant milestone for the ambitious Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project, the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) announced that the construction of 12 out of the 20 planned river bridges in Gujarat has been completed. These bridges are part of the 508-km corridor connecting Mumbai and Ahmedabad, which is set to revolutionize travel in the region.
Latest Completion: Kharera River Bridge in Navsari District
The most recent completion in this series of river bridges is the 120-meter bridge over the Kharera River in Navsari district. This marks the successful conclusion of all nine bridges between Vapi and Surat, enhancing the connectivity and transportation infrastructure of the region.
Travel Time and Station Connectivity
The bullet train project, spanning 352 km in Gujarat and 156 km in Maharashtra, will connect 12 stations from Mumbai to Sabarmati. Once operational, it is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Ahmedabad and Mumbai to about three hours, a noteworthy improvement from the current duration of 6-8 hours.
Progress Across Multiple Locations
The construction work for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project is progressing seamlessly across multiple locations. Besides the completion of bridges over rivers such as Par, Purna, Mindhola, Ambika, Auranga, Kolak, Kaveri, and Venganiya, three additional bridges over Dhadhar in Vadodara district and Mohar and Vatrak rivers in Kheda district have been successfully constructed. This infrastructure development highlights the commitment to creating a robust and efficient transportation network.
Land Acquisition and Tenders Awarded
The acquisition of all 1,389.5 hectares of required land for the project was completed by October 21, 2024. This ensures the seamless progress of the construction work. Furthermore, tenders for civil, depot, and track work in Gujarat have already been awarded, underscoring the importance of this project on the state’s development.
Milestones in Construction
Work on all 12 stations is currently underway, complemented by the construction of a 21-km tunnel that includes an impressive 7-km undersea segment. The tunnel will be located 36 meters below ground, making it the largest undersea tunnel in India. With a diameter of 12.1 meters, it will accommodate dual tracks, further enhancing the efficiency and capacity of the bullet train system.
To ensure the timely completion of the tunnel, a combination of Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM) and the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM) will be employed. Sixteen kilometers of the tunnel will be constructed using TBM, while the remaining 5 km will be constructed using NATM. This innovative approach will accelerate the project’s timeline and allow for a more efficient construction process.
Progress on three shafts for TBM deployment is nearly complete, and NATM tunnel boring is active on three simultaneous faces. These crucial efforts aim to expedite the overall progress of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor.
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project stands as a testament to India’s commitment to transformative infrastructure development. As more milestones are reached and construction progresses, the region can look forward to reduced travel times, enhanced connectivity, and increased economic opportunities.
